#RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
A Renovated Bachelor Pad in Nichols Canyon, Los Angeles
When young entrepreneur Derek Mattison decided to buy this two-storey, three-bedroom villa in Los Angeles’ Nichols Canyon, he knew that he was also getting himself into a major renovation project.
Originally designed by famous Californian architects Buff & Hensman, the house had already been renovated many times over several decades, and had accumulated all sorts of changes and additions to its original design. The task of reviving the building’s authentic character was picked up by designer Pamela Shamshiri of design studio Commune, who removed all of the unnecessary additions, including tearing the pool house down to then rebuild it from scratch.
After two years of renovation works, the house was finally ready in 2010, and is now a luxurious bachelor pad that feels secluded and cozy whilst still being spacious enough to entertain as many as 100 guests. Panels of reclaimed oak wood cover the interior walls, whilst some of the furniture has been custom-made, an example being the coffee table in the living room by sculptor Alma Allen. Flooded with natural light from the large windows and doors, the living areas on the ground floor open out onto the terrace outside which enjoys views of the canyon and the shade of mature trees. Towering over the pool is a ceramic wall mural by ceramist and sculptor Stan Bitters which serves as a dramatic background for the interior spaces, particularly the bathroom upstairs.
